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Kia

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Common Kia Problems • Brakes • Stalling • Sudden acceleration • Transmission • Collision Damage • Just everything! --- News • Kia.com Rated Best Web Site for New-Vehicle Shopping • Kia Owners Awarded $6 Million in Class Action • Hyundai Offers $85 Million to Settle Horsepower Suit • Kia Aces J.D. Powers Survey • Horsepower Overstated

Kia's parent company, Hyundai, admits it overstated the horsepower on certain Kia and Hyundai models. Oh, but don't worry, the CEO said, people don't buy these cars for their power anyway. that's an understatement.

In fact, there are so many problems with Kias it's hard to know where to start. Most cars have one or two problems that tend to be dominant -- Ford's 3.8l V-6 engine, to pick an infamous example. But with Kia, pretty much everything seems to go wrong.

More recently, Hyundai and Kia raised eyebrows when they finished unexpectedly high in the J.D. Powers Initial Quality Survey. The Powers Survey is highly regarded but perhaps "initial" quality isn't the problem? Check the complaints listed to the right and judge for yourself.

Heather of Pocono Lake, PA April 29, 2008

Heather of Pocono Lake PA (04/29/08)
I have a 2000 Kia Sportage EX 4WD. This thing has been giving me problems since I bought it. First the check engine light comes on for no reason at all. The car sputters and almost stalls out numerous times. I could be driving along at 55mph and my RPM's will drop, jerking me violently. Then the engine light will shut off and you can not detect a thing. Second all my power windows stopped working. The drivers side works once in a great while with a screaming sound. Third and most of all dangerous and important. I have gone through 4 sets of spindle and hubs in the past year. My bearings constantly break causing my whole spindle and hub to malfunction. I was on the way home the other night with my 2 year old with me and my car suddenly swirved to the left for no reason. It did this a few times even after I slowed. then my brakes went completely out because of this. Thank god I made it home by the skin of my teeth. I called the dealership and they told me that these trucks have a lot of these problems so they came out with a knuckle kit which is a replacement of all the axles, spindles, bearings, etc (exept hubs).. Now this kit is 700, which means that the truck isn't even worth that much or to put the money into it. Now why would they make a replacement kit if there was nothing wrong with them??? Obviously it is a manufacturing problem and they should be the one's responsible for fixing it because of the saftey precautions. There is no type of recall on this what so ever.. I wish I knew what to do. I can't afford this but I am dumping 150 four times a year to temporarly fix this.. I hate this truck!!!

Frank of Winters, CA April 22, 2008

Frank of Winters CA (04/22/08)
We bought a new 2004 Kia Rio car for my wife to commute to work. She pulled away from a stop and the motor quit. We had the car towed to the dealership. They told us the timing belt broke causing the valves to drop into the engine which in turn caused serious damage to the block.(new engine-6500). After their so called investigation, they said the 100,000 mile warranty would not cover the damages. Our car had approximately 86,000 miles. There reason they said was because we did not have a 60,000 mile check up. I faithfully took the car in for regular oil chages approximately every 3000 miles. We had 2- services done to the car. The second service was done at 58,500 miles. They claim this service was for a past missed service, which I was unaware of. At this time I was not told the time belt was an issue. If they would have, I would of had them check it. (I believe they want to charge me another 600.00 for the so-called timing belt service). The car has been back for oil changes after the second service. I was not told any of those times that it was imperative to check the timing belt. The next service schedule according the book was to be at 90,000 mile. (it did not make it). The book also says that in california the timing belt is garrantied for 105,000 miles. I called The Kia consumer affairs hot line-no help or call back. We did not even get anything in writing as to why the claim was denied other than the verbal. Obviously Kia had not intention to ever honor they claimed 10-year 100,000 mile warranty. I paid the car off at time of purchase, They got there money and I now got a no good piece of shit car. Frank Carrion

Katherine of Whitestone, NY April 21, 2008

Katherine of Whitestone NY (04/21/08)
I leased a 2008 KIA Sedona and traded in my 2004 Subaru Outback with the agreement that they will pay the rest of the loan for the Subaru. After several phone calls they have not paid the rest of the loan yet and my bank is charging me for a late fee and also they will ruin my credit.

Monica of San Bernardino, CA April 21, 2008

Monica of San Bernardino CA (04/21/08)
My kia had a new battery put in because it would not charge and somehow damaged the previous one,My brakes arent worn yet they squeak and take too long too stop brake must be all the way down before a stop,ac stop blowing now its blowing only hot air, Car shakes at all times noisy and drives very rough motor mount and tranny mount need be replaced,driver door handle replaced because door would not open from outside .Dash raised up and warped

Anna of West Warwick, RI April 16, 2008

Anna of West Warwick RI (04/16/08)
I bought a 07'Kia Spectra from a dealer in MA that closed. Had the car 6months and the paint on the hood and many other places is chipping & peeling off the car. The dealer had to call a Kia Rep who looked at the car and said he decides what is or isn't covered. Car is 6months old looks polka dotted. He turned around and told me it was the way I drive. I still have my old car, not a spot on it. I did research and it seems many of the RED spectra 5's are having the same problem and people are being told the same story, its their driving. So far he hasn't called me back with a final answer and that was March 20th 2008 when he looked at the car and took pictures. ALl the reviews I have read say Kia doesn't honor the warranty for anything,since the car was bought in MA I will try to enforce the Lemon Law.

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